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Fancy   /fˈænsi/   Listen
verb
Fancy  v. t.  
1.
To form a conception of; to portray in the mind; to imagine. "He whom I fancy, but can ne'er express."
2.
To have a fancy for; to like; to be pleased with, particularly on account of external appearance or manners. "We fancy not the cardinal."
3.
To believe without sufficient evidence; to imagine (something which is unreal). "He fancied he was welcome, because those arounde him were his kinsmen."



Fancy  v. i.  (past & past part. fancied, pres. part. fancying)  
1.
To figure to one's self; to believe or imagine something without proof. "If our search has reached no farther than simile and metaphor, we rather fancy than know."
2.
To love. (Obs.)



adjective
Fancy  adj.  
1.
Adapted to please the fancy or taste, especially when of high quality or unusually appealing; ornamental; as, fancy goods; fancy clothes.
2.
Extravagant; above real value. "This anxiety never degenerated into a monomania, like that which led his (Frederick the Great's) father to pay fancy prices for giants."
Fancy ball, a ball in which porsons appear in fanciful dresses in imitation of the costumes of different persons and nations.
Fancy fair, a fair at which articles of fancy and ornament are sold, generally for some charitable purpose.
Fancy goods, fabrics of various colors, patterns, etc., as ribbons, silks, laces, etc., in distinction from those of a simple or plain color or make.
Fancy line (Naut.), a line rove through a block at the jaws of a gaff; used to haul it down.
Fancy roller (Carding Machine), a clothed cylinder (usually having straight teeth) in front of the doffer.
Fancy stocks, a species of stocks which afford great opportunity for stock gambling, since they have no intrinsic value, and the fluctuations in their prices are artificial.
Fancy store, one where articles of fancy and ornament are sold.
Fancy woods, the more rare and expensive furniture woods, as mahogany, satinwood, rosewood, etc.



noun
Fancy  n.  (pl. fancies)  
1.
The faculty by which the mind forms an image or a representation of anything perceived before; the power of combining and modifying such objects into new pictures or images; the power of readily and happily creating and recalling such objects for the purpose of amusement, wit, or embellishment; imagination. "In the soul Are many lesser faculties, that serve Reason as chief. Among these fancy next Her office holds."
2.
An image or representation of anything formed in the mind; conception; thought; idea; conceit. "How now, my lord! why do you keep alone, Of sorriest fancies your companoins making?"
3.
An opinion or notion formed without much reflection; caprice; whim; impression. "I have always had a fancy that learning might be made a play and recreation to children."
4.
Inclination; liking, formed by caprice rather than reason; as, to strike one's fancy; hence, the object of inclination or liking. "To fit your fancies to your father's will."
5.
That which pleases or entertains the taste or caprice without much use or value. "London pride is a pretty fancy for borders."
6.
A sort of love song or light impromptu ballad. (Obs.)
The fancy, all of a class who exhibit and cultivate any peculiar taste or fancy; hence, especially, sporting characters taken collectively, or any specific class of them, as jockeys, gamblers, prize fighters, etc. "At a great book sale in London, which had congregated all the fancy."
Synonyms: Imagination; conceit; taste; humor; inclination; whim; liking. See Imagination.






Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48








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"Fancy" Quotes from Famous Books



... Philip's intense admiration. A pure and noble love had filled his heart during his absence, and had exerted a powerful and restraining influence over his actions, his thoughts, his hopes and his language. He had endowed his idol with beauty in his fancy, but, beautiful as he had pictured her, he was obliged to confess on beholding her that the reality surpassed his dreams, and he ...
— Which? - or, Between Two Women • Ernest Daudet

... smile, laid two fingers on his sleeve, and said something, interrogatively, to which he replied by a shake of the head. She was asking him, evidently, if he had ever played, and he was saying no. Old players have a fancy that when luck has turned her back on them they can put her into good-humour again by having their stakes placed by a novice. Our young man's physiognomy had seemed to his new acquaintance to express the perfection of inexperience, and, like a practical woman, she had ...
— Eugene Pickering • Henry James

... a villanous; ruffled bird which I fancy I have seen somewhere. Hola master, will you let ...
— Notre-Dame de Paris - The Hunchback of Notre Dame • Victor Hugo

... consciousness that it was out of such ordeals his strength and glory were to arise, as his whole life was passed in courting agitation and difficulties; and whenever the scenes around him were too tame to furnish such excitement, he flew to fancy or memory for 'thorns' whereon to 'lean his breast.'" At the same time, the melancholy with which his heart was filled was soothed and cherished by the associations which every object in Venice inspired. The prospects ...
— The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction - Volume 17, No. 476, Saturday, February 12, 1831 • Various

... within as the pickets stepped on the gallery. I believe we commenced praying. Just think! Thus far, our journey has cost mother two hundred and twenty dollars. It would cost the same to get back to blessed Clinton, and fancy our spending that sum to settle there again! Besides, we gave away all our clothes to our suffering friends; and what would ...
— A Confederate Girl's Diary • Sarah Morgan Dawson


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